Filter tank and mounting adaptor for multiport valves

ABSTRACT

A mounting adaptor for multiport multiposition valves adapted to be removably attached to an opening in a filter tank is provided. The adaptor has a peripheral flange which sealably engages a corresponding flange on the filter tank and is secured in place by a v-band coupling. Two fluid connecting ports for attachment to the multiport valve are provided to supply fluid to and discharge fluid from the filter depending on the valve position. The mounting adaptor also includes a fluid diffuser adapted to be disposed within the filter tank to uniformly distribute the influent fluid across the filter.

United States Patent Lerner [54] FILTER TANK AND MOUNTING ADAPTOR FORMULTIPORT VALVES [72] Inventor: Marc Lerner, Swan Lake, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Oct. 13, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 80,327

[52] US. Cl. ..2l0/278, 210/281, 210/288 [51] Int. Cl. ..B0ld 23/20 [58]Field of Search ..2l0/278, 279, 288, 436, 281

[56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,317,044 5/1967 Marks..210/279 X 2,973,097 2/1961 Snider ..210l288 X 3,347,785 10/1967 Staats..210/278 X 3,381,823 5/1968 Nash ..210/288 X [1 1 3,707,233 51 Dec. 26,1972 2,418,777 4/1947 Le Clair ..;..2l0/436 X Primary Examiner-Samih N.Zaharna Attorney-Lawrence S. Lawrence [5 7 ABSTRACT A mounting adaptorfor multiport-multiposition valves adapted to be removably attached toan opening in a filter tank is provided. The adaptor has a peripheralflange which sealably engages a corresponding flange on the filter tankand is secured in place by a v-band coupling. Two fluid connecting portsfor attachment to the multiport valve are provided to supply fluid toand discharge fluid from the filter depending on the valve position. Themounting adaptor also includes a fluid diffuser adapted to be disposedwithin the filter tank to uniformly distribute the influent fluid acrossthe filter.

7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTED nEc 2 6 I972 FIGZ FILTER TANK ANDMOUNTING ADAPTOR FOR MULTIPORT VALVES Many filtration units,particularly those employed in swimming pool circulation systems,comprise a tank type filter containing a bed of various grades offiltration sand or diatomaceous earth, and a multiport multipositionvalve in fluid communication with the filter tank having selectablefilter and backwash flow positions. In the filter position influentfluid is directed to the top of the filter bed. As the fluid passesdownwardly through the bed contaminants entrained therein are removed.In the backwash position influent fluid is directed in-the reversedirection to the bottom of the filter bed to clean the bed by carryingaway contaminants that had previously been entrapped therein.

To accomplish this filter tanks have been provided with fluid lineconnections at the top and bottom, and the appropriate piping to attachthe fluid line connections to the multiport valve. Such pipingarrangements are cumbersome and costly to install and often difficulttomaintain. due to the many potential leakage paths they possess. Inaddition, servicing of the multiport valve and/or thefilter oftenrequires the disconnection of the piping. This can also be a costlyand-difficult task.

Filter tanks are usually provided with an access opening to initiallyfill the tank with the filter material and to service it thereafter, anda removable cover'enclosing the opening to prevent leakage during use.It has been suggested in US. Pat. No..3,3l6,937 to Friedman et al.- thata slide type multiport valve can be adapted to mount directly on thefilter tank at the access opening, thus eliminating the need for fluidline connections on the filter tank and the piping between the tank andthe valve.

Unfortunately, however the Friedman et al. device has many deficiencies.The slide type valve comprising a cylindrical housing having a flangeadapted to mate with the periphery of the access opening in the tank anda cylindrical sliderotatably disposed within the housing is the basisfor the Friedman et al. patent and appears to be the only type of valvethat can be installed in the manner described. But valves of this typeare often subject to cross-leakage between unselected ports or internalchambers and are therefore not very efficient. In critical systems whereleakage cannot be tolerated such valves cannot be employed. Furthermore,Friedman et al. do not disclose means for uniformly distributing theinfluent fluid across the filter bed. As a result the fluid will takethe path of least resistance and will flow into the filter in arelatively narrow stream, effectively using only a small portion of thefilter material. This causes premature plugging and requires morefrequent backwashing and other servicmg.

In accordance with the present invention a mounting adaptor formultiport valves having selectable filter and backwash flow positionsadapted to be removably attached to an opening in a filter tank isprovided. The mounting adaptor can be designed for use with any type ofmultiport valve and is therefore far more versatile than prior filtermounted multiport valves. In addition, the mounting adaptor includes afluid diffuser to uniformly distribute influent fluid across the filterbed to effectively utilize all of the filter material.

The'mounting adaptor of the inventioncomprises a plate having aperipheral flange to sealably engage a corresponding flange at theopening to the filter tank, a first fluid connecting port for connectionto a corresponding port in the multiport valve to receive influent fluidto be filtered in the filter position of the valve and to dischargebackwash waste effluent in the backwash position of the valve, a secondfluid connecting port for-connection to a second corresponding port inthe multiport valve to discharge filtered effluent in the filterposition of the valve and to receive influent fluid to backwash thefilter in the backwash position of the valve; and a fluid diffuserattached to the plate and adapted to be disposed within the filter tankhaving at least one flow chamber in communication with the first fluidconnecting port and a plurality of flow openings in communication withthe chamber to uniformly distribute influent fluid to be'filtered acrossthe filter bed and tov uniformly receive backwash waste efiluent fromthe filter bed.

. The plate can have any desired geometric shape, such as square,rectangular or circular. In most cases however a circular shape ispreferred since it is most easily formed and most easily adapted to beinstalled in a leakproof manner.

The peripheral flange on the plate and the corresponding flange on thetank can be of any type commonly used to sealably engage two matingparts in a pressure vessel. Gaskets can be interposed between theflanges to ensure a leakproof connection. Suitable flanges include thosethat are bolted together, those that threadedly engage each other, andthose that are secured by a band clamp or coupling. The latter type andmore particularly flanges adapted to be secured by a v-band coupling arepreferred since they are the least costly to produce and can be rapidlyand easily installed or disassembled.

The fluid connecting ports can be disposed on the plate in any positionadapted to accommodate the ports in the multiport valve, and to mountand hold the valve in any desired position with respect to the adaptorplate. The ports can be threaded, flanged or simply adapted to be bondedto the corresponding ports in the valve. In the latter case the valveand the adaptor form a unitary structure. In all cases the connectingmeans employed firmly secures the valve in place.

Fluid diffusers are well known in the tank filter art, and any suitabletype known to those skilled in the art can be employed in the presentinvention. The diffuser can be removably or permanently attached totheplate byemploying any of the connecting means described above. It canalso be formed as an integral part of the plate by molding the plate anddiffuser as a unitary structure.

To discharge filtered fluid and supply backwash influent fluid to thebottom of the filter bed, a standpipe is centrally disposed within thefilter tank. Accordingly, the diffuser has a corresponding fluid passageformed therein in communication with the second fluid connecting port inthe plate and adapted to sealably engage the end of the standpipe tocarry flow to and from the bottom of the filter bed, depending on thevalve position.

The adaptor plate and the diffuser can be constructed from any materialthat has the tensile strength mama (2i to withstand the operatingpressures of the filter and valve. Plastic materials suitable forinjection or compression molding are preferred for several reasons. Byutilizing plastic materials, the cost of molding the adaptor is kept toa minimum, inasmuch as the material itself is inexpensive, and usuallyrequires little labor time for casting or molding. in addition, manyplastic materials are resistant to deterioration by fluids, such aschlorinated water, which is a necessity in a swimming pool watercirculation-system, for example. Many plastic materials are alsolightweight compared to metaL and thus permit the adaptor to beassembled and installed with relative ease. Moreover, when the multiportvalve is threadably attached to the adaptor, the plastic materialcanusually be deformed to perform the function of a seal to preventexternal leakage, thus requiring no additional sealing means such asgaskets, o-rings or tape.

Plastics such as ABS polymer, Celcon (Polycarbonate resin), Cellon(cellulose acetate), Delrin (polyoxymethylen'e), nylon and Teflon(polytetrafluoroethylene) are particularly well suited for the formationof the adaptor. Transparent or trans- I lucent plastic materials, suchas polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, and Lexan(polycarbonate resin) can also be employed. In systems where it isdesirable to observe the clarity of the fluid at any given time, the useof a transparent adaptor plate is advantageous.

' Metallic materials can also be utilized for the construction of theadaptor where additional strength is required, although they are lessdesirable than plastic. Suitable corrosion resistant metals includealuminum, bronze, stainless steel, brass, zinc, nickel, chromiumcadmium-plated and zinc plated iron, and ceramic coated metals.

The invention is further described with reference to the drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting adaptor of theinvention; and

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a filter and valve assemblyfor fluid circulation systems including the mounting adaptor of theinvention.

The mounting adaptor for multiport valves shown in FIG. 1 comprises acircular adaptor plate 1 and a fluid diffuser 2 bonded to the plate. Theplate 1 has a peripheral flange 3 adapted to engage a correspondingflange formed at the opening to a filter tank, as shown in FIG. 2 anddescribed hereinafter. The plate 1 also has a pair of upstandingcylindrical fluid connecting ports 4 and 5 adapted to engage a pair ofcorresponding ports in a multiport valve to fixedly secure the valve inplace and provide fluid communication between the valve and the filtertank.

The fluid diffuser 2 is frusto-conical in shape and is adapted to bedisposed within the filter tank. The diffuser has a flow chamber 6 incommunication with fluid connecting port 4 and a plurality of flowopenings 7 in communication with chamber 6 to uniformly distributeinfluent fluid to be filtered across a filter bed within the tank. Aflow passage 8 formed within the diffuser 2 communicates valveconnecting port 5 and a central port 9. Port 9 is adapted to engage acentral standpipe in the filter tank to facilitate fluid communicationbetween the multiport valve and the bottom of the filter bed. A bleedhole is disposed in a wall 26 of the diffusercommunicating the flowchamber 6 and flow' passage 8. The purpose of the bleed hole 25 is todischarge air that would ordinarily be trapped in the upper portion of afilter tank. When the mounting adaptor is installed as shown in FIG. 2the flowpassage 8 communicates with the bottom of the filter bed bymeans of the central standpipe. Since the influent fluid in chamber 6has a higher pressure than the efi'luent fluid in flow passage 8, due toa pressure loss across the filter bed, the differential pressure forcesthe air through hole 25. if the hole as a diameter of approximatelyone-eighth inch or less the amount of cross fluid v disposed at theexterior of the tank. The valve has an internal-rotor (not shown) whichis rotatable by rneans of handle 15 between filter and backwashpositions to selectively interconnect the topand bottom of the filterbed with the fluid circulation system. The multiport valve 14 is fixedlysecured in place by means of mounting adaptor 16 which is essentiallythe same as the adaptor shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment the plateand the diffuser are formed as'a unitary structure. Connecting port 4 onthe adaptor is bonded within corresponding port 19 on the valve andconnectin g port 5 is likewise bonded within corresponding port 20 onthe valve. Peripheral flange 3 on the adaptor l6 mates with flange 12 onthe filter tank and is fixedly secured by means of v-band coupling 18. Agasket 17 is interposed between'the two flanges to ensure a leakproofconnection. The central port 9 formed in the diffuser 2 slidably engagesthe end of central standpipe 21 disposed within tank 10 and extending tothe bottom of filter bed 13. An O-ring 22 is disposed near the end ofstandpipe 21 to sealably engage port 9 to prevent bypass leakage.

In operation the multiport valve 14 is initially set in the filterposition, wherein fluid that enters the multiport valve is conducted viaport 19 to adaptor connecting port 4. The influent fluid then passesthrough chamber 6 in the diffuser 2 and is uniformly distributed acrossthe top of filter bed 13 by means of flow openings 7. The fluid proceedsthrough bed 13 wherein contaminants entrained in the fluid are removed.The filtered effluent is discharged from the filter through standpipe 21via diffuser passage 8 and connecting port 5. The filtered fluid isreceived by the multiport valve through port 20 and then passes into thecirculation system.

When the filter bed becomes plugged, the flow in the filter is reversedby moving the valve by means of hancile l5 to the backwash position.Fluid from the system is then directed by the valve to the bottom of thefilter bed 13 via port 2.0, connecting port 5, fluid passage 8 andstandpipe 21. The reverse flow of fluid through the filter bed removesthe contaminants entrapped therein, thus revitalizing the filter. Thebackwash waste effluent is uniformly received from the top of the filterbed by the diffuser 2 which conducts the fluid to connecting port 4 viachamber 6. The effluent flow then enters the multiport valve via port 19for discharge to a waste line. When the filter bed is sufficientlycleaned, the valve is again moved to the filter position to recommencethe filtration process.

To service the filter tank or bed or the multiport valve the v-bandcoupling 18 is loosened and the entire multiport valve-mounting adaptorassembly can be easily removed. The only piping connections that need bedisassembled are those connecting the valve and the fluid circulatingsystem. The connection between the valve and the mounting adaptor neednot be disturbed.

The mounting adaptors shown in the drawings are for illustrativepurposes only. Other embodiments within the scope of the invention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art.

lclaim:

1. A mounting adaptor for multiport valves having flange to sealablyengage a corresponding flange at the opening to the filter tank, a firstfluid connecting port adapted for connection to the multiport valve toreceive influent fluid to be filtered in the filter position of thevalve and to discharge backwash waste effluent in the backwash positionof the valve, a second fluid connecting port adapted for connection tothe multiport valve to discharge filtered effluent in the filterposition of the valve and to receive influent fluid to backwash thefilter in the backwash position of the valve; and an invertedfrustoconically shaped fluid diffuser integrally attached at its largerdiameter end to the plate to form a unitary structure therewith andadapted to be disposed within the filter tank at least partially belowthe access opening, said diffuser having an annular flow chamber incommunication with the first fluid connecting port, a plurality of flowopenings formed in the conical wall thereof in communication with thechamber to uniformly distribute influent fluid to be filtered across thetop of the filter bed, a fluid passage formed therein in communicationwith the second fluid connecting port of the plate, an air bleed holecommunicating the fluid passage and the annular chamber to discharge airtrapped above the filter bed in said tank, and a further connecting portin communication with said fluid passage located at its smaller diameterend to be spaced below the tank access opening and adapted to sealablyand removably engage a central standpipe in the filter tank to receivefiltered fluid from and to supply backwash influent to the bottom of thefilter bed, said further connecting port permitting removal of theadaptor from the standpipe to open and provide access to the tankinterior without distributing the filter bed.

2. A multiport valve mounting adaptor in accordance with claim 1, inwhich the peripheral flange is adapted to be secured to thecorresponding flange on the filter systems comprising, in combination, afilter tank havmg an access o p'ening with a' peripheral flange; a bedof fil er material isposed'within the filter tank to remove contaminantsfrom the influent fluid; a multiport valve disposed at the exterior ofthe tank having selectable filter and backwash flow positions toselectively interconnect the filter with the fluid circulation system; astandpipe centrally disposed within the filter tank and terminating at apoint below the access opening to receive water from and supply water tothe bottom of the filter bed; and a mounting adaptor for the multiportvalve removably attached to and enclosing the opening in the tank topermit access thereto, comprising a plate having a peripheral flangewhich sealably engages the flange on the tank, a first fluid connectingport attached to the multiport valve to receive influentfluid to befiltered in the filter position of the valve and to discharge backwashwaste efiluent in the backwash position of the valve, 21 second fluidconnecting port attached to the multiport valve to discharge filteredeffluent in the filter position of the valve and to receiveinfluentfluid to backwash the filter in the backwash position of thevalve, and an inverted frustoconically shaped fluid diffuser integrallyattached at its larger diameter end to the plate to form a unitarystructure therewith and disposed within the filter tank at leastpartially below the access opening and above the filter bed, saiddiffuser having an annularflow chamber in communication with the firstfluid connecting port, a plurality of flow openings formed in theconical wall thereof in communication with the chamber to uniformlydistribute influent fluid to be filtered across the filter bed, acentral flow passage formed therein in communication with the secondfluid connecting port of the plate, an air bleed hole communicating thecentral flow passage and the annular chamber to discharge air trappedabove the filter bed upon start up, and a further connecting portlocated at its smaller diameter end in communication with the centralflow passage at a point spaced below the tank access opening sealablyand removably engaging the end of the standpipe to direct fluid betweenthe multiport valve and the bottom of the filter bed, said furtherconnecting port permitting removal of the adaptor from the standpipe toopen and provide access to the tank interior without disturbing thefilter bed.

5. A filter and valve assembly in accordance with claim 4, in which thevalve mounting adaptor is secured in place on the filter tank by av-band coupling.

6. A filter and valve assembly in accordance with claim 4, in which theconnecting ports on the mounting adaptor plate are bonded to themultiport valve.

7. A filter and valve assembly in accordance with claim 4, in which themounting adaptor and multiport valve are formed of plastic material.

1. A mounting adaptor for multiport valves having selectable filter andbackwash flow positions for use in filtration systems, adapted to beremovably attached to an opening in the tank of a bed type filter topermit access thereto, comprising a plate having a peripheral flange tosealably engage a corresponding flange at the opening to the filtertank, a first fluid connecting port adapted for connection to themultiport valve to receive influent fluid to be filtered in the filterposition of the valve and to discharge backwash waste effluent in thebackwash position of the valve, a second fluid connecting port adaptedfor conNection to the multiport valve to discharge filtered effluent inthe filter position of the valve and to receive influent fluid tobackwash the filter in the backwash position of the valve; and aninverted frustoconically shaped fluid diffuser integrally attached atits larger diameter end to the plate to form a unitary structuretherewith and adapted to be disposed within the filter tank at leastpartially below the access opening, said diffuser having an annular flowchamber in communication with the first fluid connecting port, aplurality of flow openings formed in the conical wall thereof incommunication with the chamber to uniformly distribute influent fluid tobe filtered across the top of the filter bed, a fluid passage formedtherein in communication with the second fluid connecting port of theplate, an air bleed hole communicating the fluid passage and the annularchamber to discharge air trapped above the filter bed in said tank, anda further connecting port in communication with said fluid passagelocated at its smaller diameter end to be spaced below the tank accessopening and adapted to sealably and removably engage a central standpipein the filter tank to receive filtered fluid from and to supply backwashinfluent to the bottom of the filter bed, said further connecting portpermitting removal of the adaptor from the standpipe to open and provideaccess to the tank interior without distributing the filter bed.
 2. Amultiport valve mounting adaptor in accordance with claim 1, in whichthe peripheral flange is adapted to be secured to the correspondingflange on the filter tank by a v-band coupling.
 3. A multiport valvemounting adaptor in accordance with claim 1, molded from plasticmaterial.
 4. A filter and valve assembly for fluid circulation systemscomprising, in combination, a filter tank having an access opening witha peripheral flange; a bed of filter material disposed within the filtertank to remove contaminants from the influent fluid; a multiport valvedisposed at the exterior of the tank having selectable filter andbackwash flow positions to selectively interconnect the filter with thefluid circulation system; a standpipe centrally disposed within thefilter tank and terminating at a point below the access opening toreceive water from and supply water to the bottom of the filter bed; anda mounting adaptor for the multiport valve removably attached to andenclosing the opening in the tank to permit access thereto, comprising aplate having a peripheral flange which sealably engages the flange onthe tank, a first fluid connecting port attached to the multiport valveto receive influent fluid to be filtered in the filter position of thevalve and to discharge backwash waste effluent in the backwash positionof the valve, a second fluid connecting port attached to the multiportvalve to discharge filtered effluent in the filter position of the valveand to receive influent fluid to backwash the filter in the backwashposition of the valve, and an inverted frustoconically shaped fluiddiffuser integrally attached at its larger diameter end to the plate toform a unitary structure therewith and disposed within the filter tankat least partially below the access opening and above the filter bed,said diffuser having an annular flow chamber in communication with thefirst fluid connecting port, a plurality of flow openings formed in theconical wall thereof in communication with the chamber to uniformlydistribute influent fluid to be filtered across the filter bed, acentral flow passage formed therein in communication with the secondfluid connecting port of the plate, an air bleed hole communicating thecentral flow passage and the annular chamber to discharge air trappedabove the filter bed upon start up, and a further connecting portlocated at its smaller diameter end in communication with the centralflow passage at a point spaced below the tank access opening sealablyand removably engaging the end of the standpipe to dirEct fluid betweenthe multiport valve and the bottom of the filter bed, said furtherconnecting port permitting removal of the adaptor from the standpipe toopen and provide access to the tank interior without disturbing thefilter bed.
 5. A filter and valve assembly in accordance with claim 4,in which the valve mounting adaptor is secured in place on the filtertank by a v-band coupling.
 6. A filter and valve assembly in accordancewith claim 4, in which the connecting ports on the mounting adaptorplate are bonded to the multiport valve.
 7. A filter and valve assemblyin accordance with claim 4, in which the mounting adaptor and multiportvalve are formed of plastic material.